Stethoscope



Jan.-2'l, 1930. H. s. JONES I 1,744,156

STETHOSCOPE Filed Aug. 24, 1928 77! 5 INVENTOR. BY W Z: WATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 21, 1930 PATENT QFFICE HQR-ATIO S. JONES, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI STETHOSCOPE Application filed August 24, 1928.

My invention relates to improvements in stethoscopes.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a noved stethoscope, which is simple, cheap, durable, not likely to get out of order, which is easily operated, and which has novel means by which the detected sounds from the body are amplified and clearly defined.

The novel features of my invention are hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing, which illustrates my invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved stethoscope, the ear tubes being broken away. Fig. 2 is longitudinal sectional View of the same.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same.

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a modification of one of the amplifying chambers.

Fig. 5 is a central longitudinal sectional view of what is shown in Fig. 4.

Similar reference characters designate similar parts in the diiferent views.

1 designates a hollow cylindrical receiving chamber, closed at one end and open at the other end, and having stretched across its open end a vibratory diaphragm, comprising, preferably, a soft rubber disk 2, which has its peripheral portions held clamped to the outer side of the wall of the chamber 1, the latter having a circular peripheral outer portion 3 which flares from the open end of the chamber, Fig. 2.

The overlapping portions of the rubber disk 2 are stretched and held clamped to the flaring portion 3 by a clamping ring 4i, which is slidably fitted over the overlapping portions of the disk 2 and holds the disk 'in the stretched condition.

The clamping ring 4 has upwardly extending inwardly turned spring arms 5, which are adapted to engage releasably an annular shoulder 5 at the large end of the flaring portion 3.

Opposite sides of the walls of the receiving chamber are respectively provided, at equal distances from the disk 2, with two threaded transverse holes in which are respectively fitted the reduced tubular threaded ends of two tubular members 6, each of which flares Serial No. 301,756.

at its inner wall from the receiving chamber 1, and the outer end of which is internally threaded.

Respectively fitted in the threaded outer ends of the members 6 are two tubular members 7, each of which has at its inner end a transverse wall, and which at its outer end is adapted to have fitted thereon an ear tube 8, Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

In the operation of the form shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the receiving chamber 1 is held with the disk 2 against the body of the patient. The sounds from the body vibrate the disk 2, the vibrations of which are communicated to the air in the chamber 1, and such vibrations are communicated to the air in the chambers formed by the members 6 and 7. The vibrations pass through the reduced ends of the members 6 and are therein amplified by reason of the flaring walls thereof, so that the sounds which reach the ears through the usual ear tubes 8 are very clear and distinct.

With the use of the soft rubber disk 2, much better effects are obtained than with the use of disks of parchment, skin diaphragms, or other materials of which use I am aware and have tested. This is probably due to the fact that in the application to the receiving chamber. the fastening means stretches the rubber disk in all directions alike and to a much greater extent than could a non-elastic disk be stretched.

In fastening the disk 2 on the receiving chamber, when the ring 4c is slipped over the peripheral portions of the disk, it will pull and stretch the disk in all directions alike, the soft rubber yielding to permit of such stretching.

hen the spring arms 5 of the ring engage the shoulder 5, the ring will be held in its clamping position.

In the modification of the amplifying chamber, shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the chamber comprises a single piece having a body 9, which is oval interiorly and exteriorly, and which at one end is externally threaded to fit a threaded hole in the receiving chamber 1, in lieu of the member 6. The other end of the member is tubular and adapted to have fitted thereon an ear tube 8, as was described with reference to the members 7 The bodies 9 efi'ect an amplication of the vibrations entering the chamber at the threaded end thereof.

I do not limit my invention to the structure shown and described, as modifications, other than shown, may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of myinvention.

What I claim is I 1. In a stethoscope, a sound receiving chamber adapted to be applied to the body, and an amplifying chamber communicating therewith having an inner wall diverging from said receiving chamber and having a tubular sound outlet adapted for connection with an ear tube.

2. In a stethoscope, a sound receiving chamber adapted to be applied to the body, and an amplifying chamber communicating therewith having an inner wall diverging from said receivingchamber and terminating at a transverse wall provided with a sound outlet passage, said amplifying chamber having means adapted for connection with an ear tube adapted to communicate with said passage.

3. In a stethoscope, a sound receiving chamber adapted to be applied to the body, and two amplifying chambers oppositely located and similarly disposed communicating with said receiving chamber, each of said amplifying chambers having an inner wall diverging from said receiving chamber and having a tubular sound outlet adapted for connection with an ear tube.

4. In a stethoscope, a sound receiving chamber adapted to be applied to the body, and two amplifying chambers similarly disposed and oppositely located communicating with said receiving chamber, each of said amplify ing chambers having an inner wall diverging from said receiving chamber and terminating at atransverse wall having a sound outlet passage, each amplifying chamber having means adapted for connection with an ear tube adapted to communicate with said passage.

5. In a stethoscope, a sound receiving chamber adapted to be applied to the body, a flaring tubular member having itsreduced end communicating with said chamber, and a tubular member fastened at one end to the expanded end of said flaring member and having its other end adapted to be connected to an ear tube.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

I-IORATIO S. JONES. 

